Erap pledges salary increase as gift to city hall employees

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who will be celebrating his 80th birthday on Wednesday, April 19, announced that a new round of salary increase will be implemented as his “birthday gift” to city hall employees.

Former President and now Manila mayor Erap Estrada smile in front of media after the supreme court affirmed a decision that he is qualified to run for mayor. (Photo by Linus Escandor/ Manila Bulletin)

The across-the-board increase in the regular employees’ monthly pay would be retroactive to January 1, 2017, according to city personnel office chief Miguelita Alonzo.

Each employee’s monthly pay will be increased by about 10 percent.

Since becoming mayor in 2013, Estrada said it has been one of his “birthday wishes” to uplift the lives of city hall employees to help them keep up with the steady increase of the daily costs of living.

“I’ve seen your hard work and dedication, so as my gift to you, you will receive another increase in your monthly pay,” Estrada said.

The city government has allocated P250 million for the salary adjustments of 8,830 regular employees based on the regulations set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

On January 5, DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno issued National Budget Circular No. 568 and Local Budget Circular No. 113 that allow agencies and local government units to adjust compensation retroactively effective January 1 under Executive Order No. 201 issued in 2016.

The EO mandated compensation adjustments in four annual tranches starting last year until 2019.